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Rogers DFA'd to make room for Hendriks

4/19/14: Esmil Rogers strikes out four without allowing a hit in two innings of relief for the Blue Jays

By Jamie Ross
/
MLB.com |

TORONTO -- As a result of his prolonged struggles in the Blue Jays' bullpen, hard-throwing righty Esmil Rogers was designated for assignment on Friday.

In a corresponding roster move, Toronto selected the contract of Liam Hendriks, who started against Oakland Friday night at Rogers Centre.

"He's been scuffling, we had to make a move," Blue Jays manager John Gibbons said. "And we want to get a look at [Rob] Rasmussen and keep him up here and see what he can do."

Rogers' woes were well documented this season, but the club was reluctant to demote the right-hander, because he has no Minor League options remaining on his contract. That fact alone was enough to keep him on the 25-man roster, but it became increasingly difficult to justify his role. The 28-year-old posted a 6.97 ERA in 16 relief appearances this season.

Asked what the sources of Rogers' struggles were, Gibbons said: "I've got no idea. If we'd known that, we could've fixed it."

In his last outing, Rogers came in with a five-run lead against the Red Sox on Wednesday. He allowed three hits and three earned runs, lasting one-third of an inning before being replaced.

Gibbons said he couldn't pinpoint the breaking point that led to Rogers' demotion, but the recent changes to the makeup of the bullpen -- which includes the addition of Rasmussen and Dustin McGowan, who began the season as a starter -- made it necessary.

In Hendriks, the Blue Jays have at least temporarily filled the fifth spot in the starting rotation, which was left vacant when McGowan's role changed.

"[Hendriks is] a control guy," said Gibbons. "He'll throw everything at you. We liked him in Spring Training."

Hendriks was off to a solid start in Triple-A Buffalo, posting a 1.48 ERA in nine games (seven starts) with the Bisons. The 25-year-old native of Australia has appeared in 30 career Major League games in parts of three seasons. The Blue Jays claimed him off waivers from the Twins during Spring Training.

Jamie Ross is an associate reporter at MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.